THIS year's Weymouth Lifeboat Week has been cancelled - along with all other fundraising events.

Those at Weymouth RNLI lifeboat station say it is with 'great regret' the event has been called off, and that it is a 'big blow' for the station.

Lifeboat week is one of the main money raising events of the year.

In light of government recommendations, the life-saving charity felt none of the planned events could be done safely for the RNLI volunteers or the general public with the current social distancing guidelines.

It is hoped that some online virtual events will be able to take place such as a quiz, a music gig, virtual tour of the lifeboat and a meet the crew event.

However, volunteer lifeboat crews will still continue to provide a 24-hour rescue service along the coast of Dorset and seasonal lifeguards will look after people on Weymouth beach.

Since the vast majority of RNLI shops are located within lifeboat stations and share facilities with crews, it will not be possible to open shops.

Visits to stations remain strictly limited in order to keep our crews operational.

However, from this week it will be possible to buy items from Weymouth shop via the online RNLI shop.

RNLI chairman Stuart Popham said: "RNLI crews and lifeguards have saved more than 142,700 lives since 1824 but we’re more than a rescue service. We influence, supervise and educate people too.

Our community safety teams explain the risks and share safety knowledge with anyone going out to sea or to the coast.

"We are a charity founded upon, and driven by, our values of selflessness, courage, dependability and trustworthiness, with volunteers at our heart.

"Volunteers make up 95 per cent of our organisation - ordinary people doing extraordinary things - supported by expert staff, all working together to help communities at home and abroad save lives.

"The health crisis has hit our income hard. Lockdown halted the fundraising events we rely on to power our lifesaving service. Yet our lifeboat crews have never stopped being on call 24/7, ready and willing to save lives. They still need protective crew kit and fuel to launch their lifeboats. And their lifeboat stations and lifeboats still need to be maintained and repaired. With your support, they’ll always be ready, right now and in the future."

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830999

e: jennifer.mulcahey

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @DorsetEchoJen